Why is Delhi engulfed in dust?

Anumita Roychowdhury, head of air pollution and clean transportation programme at CSE, explains why Delhi and North India is besieged by dust, what are the repercussions on health, and what should the governments do under such a situation.

Last Updated: Friday 15 June 2018

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The dust emergence with wind shows the quality of soil surrounded in the region. If CSE can act and influence the policy matter of the Government agency to curb the Environmental pollution around the Delhi area then I have to say to reduce soil pollution by implementing afforestation programmes, Change land use patterns and do actions to augment soil moisture and organic matter in the soil of the affected region. The water content in the air is very less in summer months which favours the pollution of the region. So apart from the suggestions said, discussions are needed to formulate an action plan by the stakeholders.

Apart from air pollution generated by automobile exhaust, industrial emissions etc. another major reason behind this malaise is burning of paddy stubbles in the farmers field before the onset of wheat cultivation. Farmers practice this method to check infestation in the subsequent crops in the field although the very high temperature arising after burning the stubble results in destruction of many beneficial insects and microbes in the soil. Moreover, incineration of stubbles generate a huge amount of toxic gases which result in formation of smog in and around the soil and air which eventually leads to many respiratory problems in mankind. A few technologies viz. HAPPY SEEDER can reduce the intensity of the problem which uproot and collect the stubbles from the field immediately after harvest. This helps in preventing burning of the stubbles in the field and thereby, controls incorporation of toxic gases into the atmosphere.

apart from all these we need to make environment awareness programme at massive level .....no doubt many of us wl b considering this as an old talk but trust me this is the thing or one of the resorts by which we can atleast educate the masses ....also both rural n urban masses are equally responsible for climate change of the current scenario....all of us should feel duty bound to do our bit towards environment protection....y we shd wait for the govt to take steps towards environment protection n others related issues n y not we all the common masses take a step forward at our own level.

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